Synonyms for detent

Most common

pawl · ratchet · outdent

All synonyms

Noun

Antonyms

indent

All antonyms of detent →

Definitions

1. n. 1

   That which locks or unlocks a movement; a catch (stopping mechanism), pawl, or dog; especially, in clockwork, the catch which locks and unlocks the wheelwork in striking.

Related words

Other spellings

dedent

Forms

Plural

detents → pawls, clicks, dogs, ratchets…

Example sentences

• ratchet Handcuffs are none other than a ratchet mechanism.

Popularity over time

Use in printed books, per decade from 1850 to 2019.

By length

3 letters

dog¹

4 letters

pawl

5 letters

click¹

7 letters

ratchet², outdent

The small number after each word is its number of syllables (ratchet² = 2 syllables).